BS Meter on Scrapped WWE WrestleMania 42 Plans and More Including Cody Rhodes Rumors
One could argue the vibes have never been stranger on the WWE rumor mill going into a WrestleMania.
There's a palpable sense of urgency coming from WWE as the biggest event of the year approaches.
Just look at the latest batch of rumors: It sounds like there's going to be weird accommodations for ESPN as WWE scrambles for viewers. There's rumblings of the company's graphics department being disgruntled.
Oh, and don't forget that whole thing about WWE pulling the plug on Drew McIntyre and going with Cody Rhodes at the last second as a top champion for the event.
To help fans keep up with the odd pace, let's put the biggest rumors on the BS Meter, with 10 being the highest form of unbelievable buzz fans can safely dismiss.
Internal WWE problems?
1 of 5
The Rumor
About that graphics team. According to WrestleVotes (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), even the graphics team is mad about the build to 'Mania. There have been multiple changes to the entire presentation of the event, at least in part, because the direction for the event is a mystery.
Reaction
Remember those hilarious graphics from last October that featured guys like Triple H, Paul Heyman, and Brock Lesnar in suits around a high-stakes gambling table? Those were weird and funny. They sort of speak to the aimless drifting of the whole event now.
BS Meter: 5
Look, WrestleMania doesn't need a theme. Who is looking at the theme and choosing not to tune in because they don't like it? But it's also understandable if the rudderless direction of the whole thing has caused some internal strife, too.
Women's title match changes
2 of 5
The Rumor
The Women's United States title is undergoing a change, it seems. According to Bodyslam (h/t Ortman), WWE will stick with a one-on-one format at WrestleMania between Giulia and Tiffany Stratton.
Reaction
This is in response to some apparent rumblings about WWE planning a triple threat, but Jordynne Grace suffered an injury. So, rather than throw another name in, it's just going to proceed as planned, sans one.
BS Meter: 1
It's not too late for WWE to get someone else in the match, but this one is easy enough to believe. WWE has a really bad habit of throwing extra people into matches that don't need it. Stratton and Giulia deserve the shine on a big stage.
Brock Lesnar's opponent
3 of 5
The Rumor
As of this writing, WWE is working hard to keep Brock Lesnar's opponent at 'Mania a mystery. According to PW Insider (h/t Ortman), though, it's going to be Oba Femi.
Reaction
WWE has attempted to curve the conversation away from Femi, at least for now, by having Lesnar do a sort of open challenge thing. WrestleVotes (h/t Ortman) has reported that Bron Breakker's injury has played a role in Lesnar doing this, for what it's worth.
BS Meter: 1
An open challenge is actually a pretty clever way to keep the card in flux and let plans change organically as guys become available (or not) due to injury. But Femi is the super-obvious choice as Lesnar's opponent, as he's clearly one of the next big things and needs the 'Mania boost.
All things Rhodes-Orton-McIntyre
4 of 5
The Rumor
About the drama around Rhodes. According to PW Insider (h/t Ortman), WWE had considered throwing Rhodes and McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match at 'Mania before taking the belt off the latter. And according to Wrestling Observer (h/t Ortman), the new title match won't add a third name.
Reaction
What a bummer for McIntyre. Sure, WWE throws too many people into multi-man matches. But ripping him out now and not letting him back in just stinks. It's good they avoided the Hell in a Cell goofiness though, as the named-PLE match stipulations that were forced for years and years still haven't recovered, reputation-wise. It's almost hard to take it seriously now.
BS Meter: 1
Easily believable on all fronts. No doubt WWE kicked a bunch of match-type ideas and participants around while changing up the plans. For better or worse, there's still time for WWE to pivot yet again and add someone else to the match, too. But it feels like there's little WWE can do to actually make it a hyped showdown at this point.
ESPN drama
5 of 5
The Rumor
Another ESPN oddity for WWE: According to WrestleVotes (h/t Ortman), WWE's considering booking high-stakes matches with potentially headline-grabbing stipulations for WrestleMania's first hour, which airs on ESPN cable networks.
Reaction
Anyone else get the vibe that things aren't that hot between WWE and ESPN? Things seem to be trending in that direction. It's not just WWE requesting that ESPN drop letter grade reviews, but just, well, everything. WWE now totally restructuring how it goes about its biggest show of the year is merely the latest instance.
BS Meter: 5
This could just be WWE making a misguided attempt to lure more viewers into 'Mania itself. But it is…WrestleMania. What's going to be unfortunate is if this push robs worthwhile matches of a bigger stage later in the night and more hardcore wrestling fans who don't want to tune in super early straight-up miss them so WWE and ESPN can keep doing their strange dance.
